Synthesis and Evaluation of Noviose Replacements on Novobiocin that Manifest Anti-proliferative Activity

Structural modifications to the coumarin core and benzamide side chain of novobiocin have successfully transformed the natural product from a selective DNA gyrase inhibitor into a potent inhibitor of the Hsp90 C-terminus. However, no SAR studies have been conducted on the noviose appendage, which represents the rate-limiting synthon in the preparation of analogues. Therefore, a series of sugar mimics and non-sugar derivatives were synthesized and evaluated to identify simplified compounds that exhibit Hsp90 inhibition. Evaluation against two breast cancer cell lines demonstrated that replacement of the stereochemical complex noviose with simplified alkyl amines increased anti-proliferative activity, resulting in novobiocin analogues that manifest IC(50) values in the mid nanomolar range.